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‘Don’t overspend on purchasing or building dream home’- Scotiabank

- Holds Home Buyer/Builder seminar for customers
Potential home builders/buyers getting themselves acquainted with the various services which they may need to make their dream home a reality. The exhibition was part of Scotiabank's Home Buyer/Builder Seminar on Saturday January 19, 2013 at its Tortola location. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons that attended the Scotiabank Seminar. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons that attended the Scotiabank Seminar. Photo: VINO
Presentations were also done by Panellists Mr Steve Augustine (left) of SA Architectural Services, Ms Maria Viera (centre) of Colonial Insurance and Mr Willis Todman of Todman Architectural Services. Photo: VINO
Presentations were also done by Panellists Mr Steve Augustine (left) of SA Architectural Services, Ms Maria Viera (centre) of Colonial Insurance and Mr Willis Todman of Todman Architectural Services. Photo: VINO
Mr Charles Crane (right) of Groundworks BVI doing his presentation on behalf of the local landscaping company. Photo: VINO
Mr Charles Crane (right) of Groundworks BVI doing his presentation on behalf of the local landscaping company. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While it may have the money to lend, Scotiabank BVI is not encouraging customers looking to buy or build their own homes to spend unnecessarily and has also designed a process to make the acquiring of homes hassle free.

And in order to inform its customers on how to be frugal, how to qualify for homebuilding loans and the various services that are available to ensure their homes are built to perfection, Scotiabank conducted a Home Buyer/Builder seminar on Saturday January 19, 2013 at its Tortola location.

“We had our experts and architects, insurance companies and contractors on hand. They did a great presentation for customers to come into the bank and have their needs addressed and we at Scotiabank are here to help customers meet their dream homes, said Assistant Manager of Personal Banking, Travisia Williams.

“We also let them know our customers who we have worked with over the years such as Mr Steve Augustine and to help the customer to have a smooth process to own their own home. So we invite customers to come in before so that we can know their budget so that they do not go and build a two million dollar home and they would not be able to afford it or to complete the construction,” Williams added.

It is not the first time that Scotiabank has held such a promotion but it is the first time that it has incorporated small businesses. The small business customers who had some of their products and services displayed at the seminar included Groundworks BVI for landscaping, Vangard Security, EuroCarib Source, which is a building material purchase and deliver service and CRC, which specialises in tiling. “So for this year that was the unique aspect of it,” Williams told Virgin Islands News Online.

Senior Technician of Vangard Security, Tom Corpuz said the security company has been in existence since around 2001. Located at East End, he noted that the company deals with alarm systems, surveillance systems, automation, assets control, and they also provide security services for special events.

“The unique thing about the company from other security services is that we provide quality service and then we do monitoring to make sure our clients are satisfied with the service,” Mr Corpuz told this news site.

Customers were also introduced to Groundworks BVI, which is located at Pockwood Pond where it has a fully serviced garden centre and a store where garden equipment and fertilizers among other gardening needs could be purchased.

According to the Consultant to Management of Groundworks BVI, Mr Charles Crane, the business of Groundworks BVI is multi-faceted. “We provide excavating services, clearing foundation work and landscaping for property once it’s built.”

Groundworks BVI also offers an alternative to concrete wall for soil retention purposes, which is a basic wire basket filled with stones. It’s a tried and tested way of retaining soil and can be engineered to any height. “It has been tried and tested worldwide and the advantage over concrete wall is that it can be cheaper, doesn’t have to be painted. It wouldn’t crack, wouldn’t grow moss, fungus and all that stuff so generally its maintenance free and comes with a guarantee,” Mr Crane said.

Presentations were also made by Panelists Mr Steve Augustine of SA Architectural Services, Mr Willis Todman of Todman Architectural Services and Ms Maria Viera of Colonial Insurance.

The presentation of the Scotiabank Home Builder/Buyer procedures and Scotiabank Home Savings Plan were done by Personal Banking Officer Ms Shavern Roberts, Home Finance Specialist Mrs Lurina Leonard Charles and Personal Banking Officer Mrs Ganiecia I. Smith.

10 Responses to “‘Don’t overspend on purchasing or building dream home’- Scotiabank”

  • open wide (21/01/2013, 16:04) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    When is this bank going to address the high interest rates and the long teller lines ???
  • bigger picture (21/01/2013, 16:39) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply

    families wanting to build homes should re-think their expectations. Many mistakes arise when they want to build mansions and unrealistic structures bigger than they need to be practical. They also need to be serious about engineers and architectural design. Making a statement can also make an eyesore.


  • Ning (21/01/2013, 16:40) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    pure hot air.
  • nicks (21/01/2013, 19:05) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    the main problem i have with the banks is them dictating who should build ur home. if i have a father, uncle, cousin, friend who is a contractor why cant they build it? i understand the risk involved so what I would say the banks do is use a threshold. if you have a family member capable (proven) to build your home and u want to utilize that person you can't borrow more than $300k and the contractor has to take out builders risk insurance and the relevant parties have to visit the site to ensure its being done properly. alot people have family and friends willing to help them build like they do down the caribbean but the red tape here killing we. again i understand is the bank money but they can meet people in the middle man. we should be able to build a half-decent home for $200,000 despite the cost of material. this thing about $500k mortgage with people working government or fickle financial sector is ludicrous.
  • jj (21/01/2013, 22:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I like socita bank but they need to do more to help the little man
  • ww (21/01/2013, 23:55) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    No matter what all the banks are the same
  • bb (22/01/2013, 12:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I comment this bank as it’s the only one seems to be doing something for the poor people
  • PAU (22/01/2013, 19:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Scotia Bank can do much better with the interest rates. The interest rates in USVI is much lower than it is in the BVI. Ms. MURAINE please do something to lower interest rates. The banks in BVI pay little or no interest on savings account and CD'S, but the interest rates on mortgages and car loans are outrageous.. What is Government doing to deal with this situation? We don't have anyone here to look out for us. Gas price go down every where in the world except BVI, but as prices go up the gas suppliers hear the news. Government needs to monitor these situations.
  • johhnyJ (23/01/2013, 06:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Scotiabank is the only bank here educating the people. I have my mortgage with them and always get good service, their people are approachable. Ofcourse I would love a lower interest rate though
  • bilkksm (23/01/2013, 06:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The week before Scotia Bank had a big thing on small business, last week they were part of the conference on small business at Scrubb Island, and now this weekend they had this mortgage show. You can say what you want about Scotia Bank, they are involved, I commend them as I sometimes wonder "Are there an other banks on Tortola"?


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